Building Department

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Inspection Information

Inspections

Inspections are required after obtaining a required permit and are conducted on all regular business days. Building inspections are generally conducted throughout the day based on workload and administrative requirements. Permitholders may call the office between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to schedule an approximate time (two-hour range) for the inspection. Unfortunately, specific appointments are not possible.

Trade inspectors are contract employees and generally schedule their inspections in the morning. For approximate inspection times, request that the inspector contact the permitholder that morning.

All inspection requests must be made by 4:00 p.m. the day before and work must be ready at the time of request. Inspection requests may be made by calling the Inspection Request (248-593-9350) and providing the following information:

• Date the inspection is to occur
• Type of inspection (Refer to the published list)
• Address of the job
• The permit number　
• The name and phone number of the person making the request
• Any other pertinent information (lockbox combination, special access, etc.)

Work not ready or incomplete at the time of inspection will result in an automatic denial of approval and $50 re-inspection fee. If an inspection must be cancelled, it must be done before 8:30am of the inspection date or a $50 re-inspection fee will be assessed. All reinspection fees must be paid prior to re-scheduling the un-approved inspection.

Inspections Required

It is the responsibility of the permitholder to know which inspections apply to the project and arrange for the inspections in proper sequence. The Michigan Codes require that work not progress beyond certain stages without prior inspection approval. The following is a list of the inspections required in this city, arranged by discipline:

• Building:
  • Demolition
    • Open Hole
    • Final
  • Post Holes (two inspections)
    • Holes to proper depth
    • Concrete base (min. 6")
  • Rail Footings (Steel Supported in Place, if required per plan)
  • Trench Footings (Steel Supported in Place, if required per plan)
  • Basement Pea Stone (Steel or mesh Supported in Place, if required per plan)
  • Garage Sand (Steel or mesh Supported in Place, if required per plan)
  • Steel Deck-Commercial
  • Foundation Wall-Residential and Commercial (Steel re-bar)
  • Backfill (An as-built brickledge survey or sealed certificate must first be approved before the inspection may be scheduled)
  • Foundation Anchors (sill plate in place, anchors fastened)
  • Open Joist/Open Rafter (prior to covering with finish materials)
  • Masonry Flashing (for base course, sills and heads)
  • Rough Building (ALL other trade approvals must be complete)
  • Ceiling Grid (Commercial or residential)
  • Insulation
  • Drywall Fasteners
  • Damper
  • Final Building (ALL other trade approvals must be completed)
  • Final Grade (Submission of as-built/field verification)
  • Tent Final
  • Sign Final
  • Final A/C & Generator (under building permit for zoning compliance)　
• Mechanical
  • Rough Ducts
  • Final Mechanical
  • Air Balance Test (Commercial)
  • Duct Detectors (Commercial)
  • A/C
  • Rough A/C
  • Final A/C
• Electrical
  • Temporary Power
  • Service
  • Open trench
  • Pool:
    • Steel
    • Underground and bonding
    • Final
  • Fire Alarm:
    • Rough
    • Final
  • Signs:
    • Ground
    • Final
  • Rough Electric
  • Rough Wall-Commercial
  • Rough Ceiling-Commercial
  • Final Electric
• Plumbing
  • Sewer Cap Demo
  • Water Test
  • Underground plumbing
  • Sewer
  • Water Service
  • Rough Plumbing
    • DWV Pressure test
    • COP Pressure test
    • Pan test
  • Gas Line
  • Final Plumbing

Points of Emphasis: Inspections

1.  Off street parking must be provided for ALL vehicles. Machinery not in use must be removed from the site in accordance with City Ordinance No. 229.
2.  The original (red-stamped) SITE Copy of all approved plans must be available on site for ALL inspectors, whether or not they request or need it for their inspection. It is the permitholder’s responsibility to see that a permanent, safe storage system is on site that maintains these plans in his/her absence. If a lockbox is used to secure these plans, the combination must be provided each time an inspection is scheduled.
3.  ALL trade inspections and contract-building inspections that are not approved will result in an automatic re-inspection fee. ALL re-inspection fees (trade or building) must be paid before the re-inspection may be scheduled. There will be NO exceptions.
   • Trade inspectors are contract employees and generally schedule their inspections in the morning. For approximate inspection times, request that the inspector call that morning. Our Trade Inspectors may be reached at the following extensions:
   • Electrical (Frank Everingham): 248-530-1526
   • Mechanical (Charlie Ford): 248-530-1527
   • Plumbing (George Beattie): 248-530-1528
4.  The staff Building Inspector/Official has the option to waive re-inspection fees in certain instances. However, the following circumstances will always result in the inspection being un-approved and require a re-inspection fee:
   • Work not ready for inspection;
   • Site not accessible (i.e. property locked) for inspection;
   • When Job Copy plans are not available for inspection;
   • When significant progress has not been made since the previous Not Approved (DA) inspection;
   • When it is apparent that the permit-holder is using the inspector to conduct a walk-through punch-list.
5.  Rough Building inspections and Final Building Inspections will NOT be scheduled until all trade inspections have passed. Unless we are responding to a violation notice or conducting an Information Inspection to determine general code compliance, building inspections may not be scheduled simultaneously with trade inspections. There are NO exceptions.
6.  Straw bales or soil retention fencing must be maintained on all new construction and addition sites. All sites must be kept free of debris at all times and streets are to be cleaned every day. All inspectors will check for proper maintenance of soil erosion control.
7.  City Code requires that proper signs be posted on the site that notify the workers of the permitted working hours: M-F, 7-5, Sat. 9-5, No Sundays. All inspectors will check for proper posting of these signs.

FAQ's About Inspection Services

1. Is it necessary to meet with the scheduled Inspector for an inspection?
Yes, so that a minor adjustment can be made at that time or for clarification of the violations observed. Access must be provided to the inspector on the scheduled inspection day.

2. When should I call for a building inspection?
Call the Inspection Request by no later than 4:00 p.m. of the day prior to the date of the requested inspection. That telephone number is (248) 593-9350.

3. May I request a specific time of day for a building inspection?
Time requests for building inspections are limited to two-hour ranges; however, depending on the amount and type of inspection, time requests may not be honored. Please keep in mind that certain inspections may take longer, or other problems may arise, that will create delays in the schedule. If the situation dictates, please call the building department and discuss the situation with the inspector for time arrangements.

4. Are inspectors available to help me if I have any questions about building in Bloomfield Hills?
Building code interpretation or code related questions shall be addressed by the Building Official during regular office hours. Trade Inspectors are available by requesting a telephone conference through this office.